Even though we’re more than halfway through summer, it’s never too late to switch up your diet so you are eating more nutritious foods and ultimately keeping your body healthier in the long run. If you are a senior who currently resides in a Kamloops independent or assisted living residence, the chef and culinary team are usually known for serving well balanced and nutritious meals to ensure all seniors get their required calories from all food groups. The best cuisine to incorporate into your diet is Mediterranean-style foods, as they are known to reduce many health risks such as diabetes, depression, heart disease, frailty, and even certain cancers in older adults.
Here are 4 nutrition tips for eating healthy this summer at a Kamloops independent or assisted living community:
Drink plenty of water and nutritious smoothies
I’m sure you’ve heard it enough, but it’s crucial to stay hydrated throughout the warmer months, as that is when your body naturally uses more water to keep your body cool and regulate its temperature so you don’t get dehydrated. Besides drinking water, drinking smoothies is also recommended as you can add your choice of fruits and vegetables to give your drink some flavour while simultaneously increasing the overall health benefits.
Eat a variety of healthy foods, rich in protein
The Mediterranean diet is highly recommended for seniors as it adds a wide variety of healthy foods that are rich in protein. You can enjoy foods such as fish, seafood, eggs, poultry, and even many plant-based foods such as peas, lentils, beans, and nuts. Depending on how they are cooked, they can be very flavourful and healthy for you.
Try to keep your plate as colourful as possible
There is no better time than summer to attempt to keep your plate as colourful as possible due to the large variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables available. Upon first glance, if your plate seems to be predominantly one or two colours, you can add some more colour to balance it. Some examples of coloured fruits and vegetables include purple grapes, yellow peppers, green asparagus, brown mushrooms, white onions, and many more.
Use certain herbs and spices to season your food
If you are not usually the type of person to season your foods, you may want to reconsider as there are many herbs and spices that can lower your cholesterol levels and blood pressure and even promote better heart health. Some examples of herbs and spices include turmeric, ginger, garlic, basil, and even dill.
Maintaining a healthy diet is not as difficult as it seems, especially if you live in an independent or assisted living community in Kamloops. You can rest assured that the culinary team creates delicious, yet healthy meals for all the seniors to enjoy.
At The Residence at Orchards Walk in Kamloops, we always have something for you to do. The Residence offers exceptional amenities such as an open seating a la carte style restaurant with meals prepared by our hospitality team. With several floor plans to choose from, all suites also feature 24 hour security with your monthly membership as well as weekly housekeeping. Want to learn more? Call 778-362-9525 to book a tour, check out our Facebook, or email The Residence at gm@theresidencekamloops.com